Rail guide and clamping surface for shapers



June 17, 1930. w. F. zlMMl-:RMANN RAIL GUIDE AND GLAMPING SURFACE FORSHAPERS v 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 24, 1927 June 17, 1930.

W. F. ZIMMERMANN RAIL GUIDE AND CLAMPING SURFACE FOR SHAPERS Filed June24, 1921 2 sheets-snm 2 Patented June "17,:

Eri-snr orifice WILLIAM r. ziifiivrnnixrANiv, or ianrnnwoon, new cansar,Assrenon rro GoULna i EBERHARDT, on NEWARK, new JERSEY, A Conroe-Arion'or NEWJERSEY vvItAii'i GUIDE AND cnLf-iiariiie siiieAorronsHArnnsApplication filed :rune a4,

y In shapers it is part of the usual construe# ytionto support theworktable on a cross This -invention is particularly concerned with "thearraiigementof the vertical guideways and supporting urfaces` forthe'crossrail ;v the objects ofthe specific arrangement beino directedto a location of the guides and'liearing surfaces relative to theadjacent frame parts and to eachother such that' the machining f thereofmay bemore easily and accurately accomplished, and at `the saine timeresult in a mererigid supporting means for; the cross-rail and worktable 'than' has heretofore been accomplished.

A commonk construction, among the crossrail supportingineans, has beento provide'- two spaced vertical ways with the forward faces andrespective-outer edges thereof being planed surfaces whereby the.forward faces maybe utilized as cross-rail supporting surface and theouter edges in combination vwith `angle portions on the cross-railservingv as guideways against transverse movements, the clamping beingaccomplished by the application of gibs to the rearface of the angleportions'which gibs are Vadapted to engage tlielrear face/of theguidei'vays.` VSuch constructions were'fouiid to have certaindisadvantages as e. g. the rail guideways weretoo `widely separatedjandthe clamping of the rail witlrtlie rear gibs wouldiiotprevent and mightevenv cause the cross-rail to bow or l defiect from its normal shape.

l ing is accomplished by forming slotted openings through thesupportingV brackets ydef As a remedy for such defects, supporting meanshave been provided wherein the clampchined without in'anydegreesacricingany lean serial no. soluce.

signed lto-"`accominodatek bolts inserted into the cross-rail wherebythe latter is clamped by a direct metalto metalcontact with its` ways.It was also found very advantageous, in-coinbination with such means,`toprovide the inner edges of the waysI with plafiied guideway surfaces;thus bringing the guideways closer togetherf In'tlie interests ofproviding -a full and I rigid support for the Shaper rain in its for-Sward positions, it has been found practical,l

to'project the rain -guideways' forwardly so that they extendf at leastas far asthe for` ward face of the verticalrail 'bearings or what iseven more common and desirable overhang a substantialamount. VSuchprojecting portions, however, interferewitli the `planing of thevertical bearing surfaces `V'for the cross-rail in the manufacture ofthe machine frame. .Y

fThis invention has for its object a modification of (and additionalimprovements over)-the direct clamping means and slotted ways, notedabove,whereby the bearing sur 'facesfmay beinore' easily andcheaplyvniaof the advantages derived fromtheprecedingstructure,butrather'adding further toA f `the rigidity of vsuchimproved rsupporting means. In prior constructions, wherein thecross-rails whereheld by the aforementioned angleportions Vand gibs(even when the ram ways did not project beyond the vertical for,-A wardbearing surfaces) Vthe vertical guideways were necessarily either verywidely spaced or, projected back underneath the A rain ways thus, inthelatter case,inakiiig the machining thereof a comparatively expensiveoperation.

rlhe present invention includes, among Aits .Y objects, an .arrangementwhereby the crossrail guidewaysare located betweenthe rain guideways;thus resulting in a more firmly supported cross-rail free fromdeflections and at the saineftime permitting the ready ma@ chiniiigthereof without interference from the ram ways. Likewise` the `plane.supporting surfaces are so positioned astok beclearof the ram guidew ys.l 4

' The complete and relative arrangement ofY planing machine reducing toa. great extent' the production cost thereof and resulting in a moreaccurately machined product.

Other lobjects and advantages will be in part indicated in the followingdescription and in part rendered apparenttherefrom in connection withthe annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlyingfeatures hereof that they may embody the same in the various wayscontempla-ted by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typicalconstruction have been annexed as a part-.of this disclosure and, insuch drawings, like charr actors of reference denote corresponding partsthroughout all the views, of which Fig. 1 is a view in elevation showingportions of a Shaper machine. Fig. 2 is afront elevational view showingthe cross-rail and l various means for the. adjustment thereof along itsways. F ig. 3 is arplan view of the cross-rail shown attached to thesupporting frame, which frame is shown in cross section and Fig. 4 is aplan view of a portion of the frame showing the ram guideways and thevertical guideways and supports for the cross-rail.

The invention,comprises certain improvee5] ments in shapers, suchportions only thereof i"being shown as are necessary to a fulldisclosure of the invention.

rlhe general featuresinclude a base 1() supporting a main frame orhousing 11 having gg at the upper part thereof the' horizontally ar- "iranged spaced ram guideways 12. The forward wall 13 of thefram'e isprovided with various guideways and means for supporting.

thereon for vertical adjustmentv the crossrail 14 which in turn carriesthe work-table 53 15 adapted also to be vadjusted transversely along thecross-rail. The forward wall 13 has integral therewith'the projectingbrachets or flanges 1G which vhave the front and rear machined AAplanesurfaces 17 and 18 re C3 spectiveiy. These llanges constitute means forsupporting the cross-rail in itsadjusted position therealong.

The forwardV wall 13 also has machined therein the opposed guidewaysurfaces 19 and C3 20 adapted to receive and support the projectingbearing portion or guide 21 rigid with the cross-rail. rlhe cross-railand table is provided with the usual shieldA 22 adapted to onoreciprocate therewith and to provide a pro- @G tection for the workingparts mountedrbelow.

The means for adjusting the-cross-rail in its vertical positionsconstitute chieiy, a vertical screw dshaft 24 fixed in the base 10 andG`5 having mounted thereon the 'rotary nut 25,

portion 27. Rotation of the nut 25 is accoinl plished by means of shaft24a having thc bevel pinion 26a thereon meshing with bevel gear 26. l

Any desired means for adjusting the table 15 transversely of the machinemay be pro-V vided, such means in the present case consisting of thecross-guide 30 having the forward bearing surface 31 along which thecross-head 29 integral withthe table 15 may be moved by means of thescrew shaft 32 having splined thereon a bevel gear 33 fixed againstaxial movement in the cross-head the hub end ofthe gear bearing againstthe nut 34 fixed in the cross-rail. The bevel gear 33 may be manuallyrotatedby means of the shaft 35 having thereon the bevel pinion 36engaging with the bevel gear 33. For the salie of convenience in showingother parts the above gears and fined nut have been omitted in Fig. 2. vany suitable automatic means may be connected'to the horizontal shaft3Q, for rotation thereof to likewise move the cross-head along itsguides.

Verylrigid an'dpositive clamping means are provided for securing thecross-rail in its vertically adjusted positions consisting of thevertical slots 36 in the brackets 16 through which the spring tensionbolts 37 and 33 attach to the cross-rail. Also projecting through theslots are the clamping bolts 39 having threaded thereon at their innerend and within the cross-rail the nuts 40 and 40. All of these bolts 37,33 and 39 project through .a pair of plates 41 adapted to bear againstthe rear plane surfaces 18 of the brackets'li. Suitable adjusting andlocking nuts are provided for each of the bolts engaging the plates 41.

The manually operated means for oper ating the clamping Vbolts comprisea horizontal shaft 42 mounted within the crossrail and having suitableconnections such as is disclosed more fully in a` co-pending applicationSerial No. 2,133 lil-ed January 13, 1925 having a rack 43 and a worm 43thereon in operative engagement with the nuts 40 and 40 whereby manualrotation of the shaft 42 byv means of a wrench 'applied to the squaredend`44 thereof rota-tes nuts 40 and 40 to securely draw the cross-railinto engagement with the bearing surface 17.

r1`he above described elements constitute means, in combination with thecentrally positioned guideways 19 and 20, for positively and rigidlysecuring the cross-rail to the supporting frame. rlhe provision of theslots in the brackets and the clamping bolts extending therethroughresult in the cross-rail being drawn into engagement with the fiatsurface 17 A.by a direct metal to *metal contact and the guideways 19and 20 in combination therewith being centrally positioned pbetween theclamping surfaces servetoprevent any twist-ing or bowing ofthecrossfrail lsuch as might be present where the guides for the cross-railarepositioned at the outer edges ofthe brackets '16 and thel cross-railclamped thereto 'by an indirect angle arm projecting around the outeredge of the bracket 16.

The 'primary features of this invention arev most clearly illustrated inFig. l wherein the location of the rvarious bearing and guide ysurfacesrelative to each other and to the ram guideways is shown in a plan viewthereof. I

Heretofore various of these surfaceshave been located in such positionas to render-they tionthereof a much more simple operation and resultingin reduced manufacturing costs; also,'since the relative reciprocatorymovement' between the cutting. tool and frameoonsists of longstrokes,the resulting surfaces are more faccuratel'y machined than if vthestrokeswere short and endedat substantially the extremities of therespective planed surfaces. L

In addition `to the above advantages achieved'in the process ofmanufacturing` the frame castings, the resulting frames also havecertain definite features which provide a more rigid support for the.crossrail mountedthereon. The guideways 19 and 20 are brought closertogether and nearer thecenter and the entire arrangement provides afourepoin't support' for the cross-rail with the points of supportseparated by substantial distances along tbe cross-rail.

1 In machines of this -typethe bearing surfaces, `such as'surfac-es '17,are'nsually separated by a distance constituting a large portion of thecomparativelyshort cross-rail 17. If the guideways are'positioned at,for eX- `ample, the'outer edgesV of thebrackets 16, ythe distancebetween the guideways is comlparatively large relative to the totallength of the cross-rail and permits oftentimes seri# vousbowingordejliection of the `cross-rail at its middle portion.

Nhilerin many machines, it may be desirable to project the rain ways-12a substantial amount beyond thevertical supporting 'surfaces andguideways in order that -theram may have a' rio'id support even in itsmost forward positions, the construction may be, and oftenlis, suchthatthe ram ways eX- tendnly tofafpointfwhere they lie inthe verticalplane ofthe surfaces 17 In such cases, theends ofthe guideways caribeplaned oiffinfthe same planingnoperation asI` the surfaces 17 and alsothe surfaces 17 may, if

desired, extend further toward t thevertieal guideways. With the abovearrangement, the machining of theshaper frames would befaccomplishedvin' substantially the same manner as in the first constructiondescribed above, theguideways 19 V'and 520 being positioned,as shown,between theguidewaysfl whereby theplanert'ool' may be reciprocatedtherealong without engaging the ram guideways 'and likewise the surfacesA`17 and 18 would be fullyjexposed 'for their ready ma chiningi o, i Y

Without further analysis,r the foregoing will sofully reveal the gist ofthis invention that-others can,-by applying current knowledge, readilyadapt it for various utiliza tions byffretaining one or more'of thefeatures that, from the standpoint of thefprior art, fairly'constituteessential 'characteris- Y tics of either the generic or specific aspectsof this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, andareintended to: be, comprehendedwithin the meaning and range ofequivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim asnew and desire to securetherfo'llowing combinations andelements, or equivalents thereof, byLetters Patent ofUnited Stateszeq LA frame for` Shapers combininghorizontally extending ram ways ;a-forward verv- 'ibo tical Ywalladapted" to supporta cross-rail; i

and guideways'and'supporting surfaces on said wall for said crosserail,said Yram ways extending forwardly beyond the vertical wall and saidguideways and supportingsurfaces being so positioned that thelongitudinal projections thereof passadjacent toybut withoutintersectingk the frame parts providing said ram ways. n f' v 2. shapercombining a -main 4housing having a forwardwall; a pair of spacedhorizontal ram guidewaysmounted above and projecting forwardly beyondsaid wall; a table supporting element; means 4on said wall foradjustably mounting said element vthereon comprising verticallyextending supportingv brackets arranged entirely outside-*the verticalplane'` containingy the' outer longitudinal edgesof .the respectiveprojections-having thereon the ram guideways,said brackets jections; a'guideonsaid element adapted to project into said guideways bearingsurfaces on said element adapted to directly` engage said verticalsurfaces; and means for clamping said element to said surfaces.

3. A shaper frame combining a supporting wall; ram guideways extendingat substantially right angles thereto and .proj ect-ing outwardly beyondsaid wall; and means forsupporting a work table element on said wall foradjustment at right angles to the plane of said ram ways comprisingplane bearing and supporting surfaces positioned with their axesextending outside said ram ways and other guideways positioned betweensaid ram guideways said surfaces and other guide- A ways beingv soarrangedy as to permit the straight line movement' therealong and be-Vyond the frame projections providing the outer ends of said ram ways ofa machining tool without engaging -said project-ions.

4. A Shaper combining a frame having a forward wall; horizontal ramguideways mounted thereabove and projecting forwardly beyond said wall;a cross-rail; and means on said wall for supporting said cross-rail forvertical adjustment thereon comprising a pair of spaced verticalbrackets each having la forward plane surface thereon anda vertical slotextending therethrough; vertical guideways located between said bracketsand ram ways said surfaces and guideways being so arranged as to permitthe movement therealong and beyond said ram .ways of a cutting tool forthe complete machining thereof without interference from said rainways;.bearing surfaces on said cross-rail for engaging said verticalguideways and surfaces; and clamping bolts attached to said cross-railand extending through said slots.

5. A Shaper combining a frame having a forward wall; a pair of spacedhorizontal Yram guideways mounted. thereabove, said frame providingprojections for extending said ram guideways forward of said wall; atable supporting element; and means on .said wall for adjustablymounting said element thereon and for rigidly holding said element inits adjusted positions comprising a vertical flange arranged outside thevertical plane of the outer longitudinal edge of the respective saidprojections, said flanges having vertical slots thereinrand forward andrear plane surfaces, and vertical guideways arranged between saidflanges and the vertical planes of the inner longitudinal edges -of saidprojections; bearing portions on said element adapted to directly engagesaid guideways and forward planesurfaces; and clamping bolts attached tosaid element and projecting through said slot.

6. A shaper frame combining ayforward vertical wall; horizontal spacedram guide` ways mounted above said wall; and means on said wall forsupporting a work table carrier comprising a vertical guideway the toolfor completely machining saidsurfaces without contacting said projectingsupports.

7. A shaper combining a mainv frame; spaced horizontally extendingramways mounted thereon; and means for adjustably supporting a crossrail on the forward face of said frame comprising a vertically.extending guideway, a Vertical bracket on either side of said guidewayhaving front and rear rclamping surfaces, said ramways being carried Ybysupports projecting forwardly beyond said guideway and brackets with theguideway arranged so that the vertical projection thereof passes betweensaid projecting supports and the Vertical projection of the clampingsurfaces outside of said projecting supports and means for clamping saidrail to said surfaces.

8. A shaper frame combining a forward vertical wall a pair ofhorizontal-ram guideway arranged above said wall, the frame beingprovided with supports carrying said ram guideways outwardly beyond saidwall; crossail bearing and clamping surfaces on said wall arrangedoutside the vertical planes of the outer longitudinal edges of said rainsupports; and cross-rail g'uideways arranged between the Verticalplanesv of the inner longitudinal edges of said supports.

9. A shaper combining a frame having a forward wall; a pair of spacedhorizontal projections extending forwardly beyond said wall, said frameand projections providing spaced rain guideways; a table supportingelement; means on said wall for adjustably mounting said element thereoncomprising a vertical flange arranged outside the vertical plane of theouter longitudinal edge of each of said projections, said flanges havingavcrtical slot and plane bearing surfaces, and vertical guidewaysarranged between the vertical planes of the inner longitudinal edges ofsaid supports; and clamping bolts attached to said Velements andextending through said slots.

10. A shaper combining a frame, spaced horizontal ram guideways on saidframe and extending forwardly on supports projecting from said frame; across rail; and means for supporting said cross rail on said Vframeconiprising vertically extending clamping surfaces arranged to the outerside yof the vertical planes containingthe outer longitudinaledoesrespectively vof said supports, means for clamping the cross railthereto, and vertically extending guideway surfaces for said -ral 'soarranged tht the longitudinal projectons thereof pass between saidsupports,

"whereby a euttingtool may Vbe passedalong *Said surface-s and beyondsaid ram guide- 'Way supports Without interference with the Y scribed myname.

WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN.

